A: ​The state of Washington does not fully fund K-12 public schools. In its McCleary decision,
the Washington State Supreme Court ordered the state to fully fund K-12 public schools as
required by Article IX of the Washington Constitution:

“It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.” – Article IX of Washington Constitution

The state legislature has yet to comply with the Supreme Court Order. Instead, school districts
continue to rely on local support (levies) to fill the gap between state funding and the true cost of
educating students. In recent history, BISD has never operated without local levy support.

BISD ranks 211 out of 295 school districts in total per pupil revenue (state, local and
federal revenue). More than 70% of Washington state school districts receive better
funding than BISD. Source: OSPI’s School Apportionment & Financial Services – Publications –
Financial Summary – Section 3

If the legislature fails to fully fund education, the EP&O levy acts as an insurance policy
and will continue providing local funding for BISD.

Programs to meet student instructional needs such as Special Education, Remedial
Reading and Math, English Language Learners

Professional development

Student transportation

Student activities such as student athletics and clubs

Q: How much does the district rely on the renewal EP&O levy?

A: The EP&O levy provides 22% of BISD’s operating budget. In 2016-17, together the EP&O
and Technology levies provided $10.28 million towards BISD’s $44.8 million operating budget, or
23%.

Q: What is BISD’s budget breakdown?

A:​ For the 2016-17 school year, BISD has a budget of $44.8 million and is divided as follows:

Salaries and Benefits = 86%

Purchased services, such as utilities, insurance = 9%

Materials and supplies = 4%

Other, such as equipment purchases, work-related travel = 1%

Q: How is the EP&O levy amount determined?

A:​ The state allows districts to run levies and imposes limits to the amount districts can collect.
This is referred to as the levy lid. BISD’s EP&O levy lid is currently 28.98% of the base
allocation. The base allocation is set by the prior year’s state and federal dollars.BISD cannot
collect more than what the lid allows.

Q: Do all school districts in the state have the same EP&O levy lid?

A:​ No. Some districts collect at a much higher rate and some have slightly lower rates. When
school funding laws changed in the 1970s, levy lids were “grandfathered” in and some school
districts collect more funds through higher levy lids.

Mercer Island School District’s levy = 37.67%

Seattle School District’s levy = 36.9%

Bellevue School District’s levy = 34.66%

Shoreline School District’s levy = 31.9%

Bainbridge Island School District’s levy = 28.98%

Q: What is the renewal EP&O levy amount?

A:​ The proposed renewal levy would replace the existing levy approved by voters in 2014.
Resolution No. 1-16-17 authorizes a four-year levy in the following amounts:

$10.4M in 2018

$10.6M in 2019

$10.8M in 2020

$11.0M in 2021

Q: What are the proposed tax rates for the EP&O levy?

A:​ The estimated tax rate for the next four years of the EP&O levy is:

2018 = $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value

2019 = $1.51 per $1,000 assessed value

2020 = $1.52 per $1,000 assessed value

2021 = $1.54 per $1,000 assessed value

RENEWAL OF TECHNOLOGY LEVY

Q: Why does BISD need a technology levy?

A: ​The state does not provide designated funding for technology.

Without a tech levy, the general fund would be impacted as money would be diverted
from it to pay for technology.

Q: How does technology impact student learning?

A:​ Technology has become an integral part of the educational landscape and it’s embedded into
our curriculum. Twenty-first century learning standards call for students to use technology to
collaborate, think critically, create and communicate. Examples are:

Write and submit an online team assignment, allowing students to work anytime,
anywhere. (Collaborate)

Use science probeware to replicate and seek solutions for real-world conditions. (Think
critically)

Write and develop code to solve engineering challenges. (Create)

Communicate electronically with peers and teachers to receive real-time feedback both
when in and out of the classroom. (Communicate)

Q: How have previous technology levy funds been used?

A. ​The School Board receives reports monthly on technology. These reports explain the
projects and expenditures of the 2014 technology levy that expires in 2017. To read the reports
in the meeting minutes, click here.

A:​ BISD is asking voters to approve the same amount that was approved in 2014, $2.2 million
per year. Resolution No. 2-16-17 authorizes a four year levy in the following amounts:

$2.2M in 2018

$2.2M in 2019

$2.2M in 2020

$2.2M in 2021

Q: What are the proposed tax rates for the Technology levy?

A: ​The estimated tax rate for the next four years of the tech levy is:

2018 = $0.32 per $1,000 assessed value

2019 = $0.31 per $1,000 assessed value

2020 = $0.31 per $1,000 assessed value

2021 = $0.31 per $1,000 assessed value

Q: What would happen if the tech levy isn’t approved?

A:​ Technology is an integral part of the educational experience at BISD. Without a renewal,
BISD will have to take money from the general operating fund to pay for technology expenses
such as internet, equipment and software.

DETAILS OF SCHOOL FUNDING

Q: What is BISD’s budget breakdown?

A:​ For the 2016-17 school year, BISD has a budget of $44.8 million and is divided as follows:

Salaries and Benefits = 86%

Purchased services, such as utilities, insurance = 9%

Materials and supplies = 4%

Other, such as equipment purchases, work-related travel = 1%

Q: Why doesn’t BISD take some funds received for the Blakely re-build and use the money for other expenses, such as teacher salaries?

A:​ ​There are two funds crucial to school finance: the General Fund and Capital Projects Fund. The General Fund pays for the day-to-day operations of schools. The Capital Projects Fund pays for construction and capital outlays, such as buildings and technology. There are strict guidelines governing the use of these funds.

Q: What are the projected school tax rates for 2018 – 2021?

A: Projected Total Local School Tax Rates

Collection Year Renewal EP&O Tech Bond Local School Tax Rate

2018 1.50 .32 1.52 $3.34

2019 1.51 .31 1.54 $3.36

2020 1.52 .31 1.54 $3.37

2021 1.54 .31 1.53 $3.38

Q: How do local school taxes compare with other school districts?

A:

Median Assessed Home Value Total Annual School Tax

Bainbridge Island $535,555 $1,631

Bellevue $640,000 $2,009

Issaquah $587,000 $2,408

Mercer Island $982,000 $2,435

North Kitsap $305,000 $1,323

ELECTION INFORMATION

Q. When will the election be held?

A​. The election is on Tuesday, February 14, 2017.

Q. When will ballots be mailed to voters?

A​. Kitsap County uses a mail-in ballot system.The Kitsap County Auditor will mail ballots to
voters in late January. All ballots must be postmarked or deposited at a polling location before 8
p.m. on February 14. The Bainbridge Island polling location is located in parking lot of the
Aquatic Center.

Q: What will be on the ballot?

A:

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 303

PROPOSITION NO. 1

RENEWAL OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS LEVY

The Board of Directors of Bainbridge Island School District No. 303 adopted
Resolution No. 1-16-17 concerning a replacement levy for educational programs
and operations. This proposition would re-authorize the continuation of levies to
support educational programs and services, including teaching, instructional
support, school supplies, extracurricular activities and transportation, and
authorizes the following excess levies to replace an expiring levy on all taxable
property within the District:

The Board of Directors of Bainbridge Island School District No. 303 adopted
Resolution No. 2-16-17, concerning a replacement technology levy to advance
student learning. This proposition would authorize the District to modernize
school facilities through the acquisition, installation and improvement of
computer technology and telecommunication systems, equipment and facilities,
and levy the following excess taxes, to replace an expiring levy, on all taxable
property within the District: